#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History: 1999-04-20 – The Year the Tutu Got Edgy! 🩰✨
Hello my darling tutu-loving darlings! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com, your one-stop shop for all things tutu, fabulous and, of course, pink! This is post number 8730 in my #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History blog - can you believe it? My dear grandma, she said I wouldn’t last a week when I started this little venture. Well, she's definitely been proven wrong! 😊
And speaking of venturing, have you seen the way they’re doing tutus now?! My dear, we're venturing further than just the pointe shoe. It's positively thrilling. Back in the olden days, well, I mean 1999, let’s not pretend it was ancient history, tutus were a little, shall we say, predictable. But 1999 - oh darling, that year saw a true evolution!
Remember That Show on 20 April 1999?!
If you're a true tutu enthusiast, like me, you'll be aware that 20th April 1999 was a HUGE date in the ballet world. Now, you may have noticed my lovely lilac tutu this week. Why lilac, you ask? Well, it's a nod to that particular date - that show – that is the one and only Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake!. Oh, that ballet is a true masterpiece. Not just any swans either, they were men! My goodness, how it shook the ballet world, it truly was groundbreaking! Swan Lake gave tutus a totally fresh spin – and this my darlings, is why it’s so significant in tutu history. It proved that the tutu, that magnificent symbol of elegance and femininity, could be so much more than what anyone had ever dared to dream!
It's funny how we forget what a bold move that was – using a male dancer to take on the role of a swan, an elegant creature often seen as a symbol of female beauty. We're talking a world where pointe shoes were generally a woman's domain! Imagine the controversy! But don’t get me wrong, it wasn't just about shocking everyone (although, the gasps and whispers were a fun spectacle, I must admit). Bourne redefined what we understood a tutu to represent - he took that iconic shape and made it a vehicle for expressive storytelling. * Swan Lake* opened up a whole new realm of creativity and paved the way for an influx of experimentation with tutus in the ballet world, just as we’re seeing in ballet street and in performance wear.
The Tutu Trend Takes a Turn:
For you style-savvy gals, 1999 wasn’t just about swans. Designers started experimenting with fabric. It was like a playground for a seamstress' imagination! Think shimmery satins, bouncy chiffon, bold silks. The colour palette expanded from the classic, elegant white to, wait for it – bright pinks, rich purples and eye-catching yellows! That year, tutus just…blossomed. Imagine! Even today you see some of those beautiful designs on the stages. It’s inspiring to see this boldness, this “think outside the box” energy that started back then. And how did it effect street style you may ask? Well, the Tutu started cropping up in fashion! All the top brands embraced the tutus. And guess what, it sparked a revolution in evening wear too – think extravagant parties, glamorous galas and, well, me! That year, the world started dancing, my darlings. 🩰
Time to Take a Tutu on the Train
As I’m here, penning my post, I'm on my way back from a wonderful visit to a fashion exhibition in the French capital. Don’t worry darlings, you haven’t lost your minds! It’s actually been a dream of mine for a long time to journey to France. They say the fashion world starts in Paris. As you’ve probably guessed, I did a little dance in every museum, but ahem, my favorite was a peek behind the curtains of ballet couture – that was my absolute highlight. A few more Swan Lake tickets later and voila! I was boarding the train with a smile wider than that Eiffel tower!
Remember Where It All Began!
So as I travel on this magical adventure in tutus, always remember, darlings, we are on the same train. Every single one of you - each beautiful ballerina with her big dreams and passion. Don’t ever let go of those dreams! Keep a good supply of pink tutus! As we look to the future, it’s exciting to think about what the next big revolution in tutus might be, how the world will interpret their story next, their future, our future! We have this lovely little haven, my Pink-Tutu world, and our journey isn't just about ballet. It’s about that little pink tutu whisper in your heart, saying ‘Yes, I can do that!’
You can be part of my fabulous Pink Tutu community on our Pink-Tutu.com forum and remember to use the #PinkTutu tag. I'm looking forward to seeing all your fabulous outfits, hearing your stories, and knowing how YOU are dancing through life. Now I need to get back to my sewing project: I’m getting a hankering for a brand new pale pink number for a weekend show…and yes, darling, it will have feathers!
Until next #TutuTuesday, keep spinning and keep twirling! 😘
Emma xxx